Lakhimpur Kheri: Uttar Pradesh government forms panel to probe violence

[b.lesner]

Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have appointed a retired judge to probe the violence that broke out during a farmers' protest.

Eight people, including four farmers, were killed after a car linked to junior home minister Ajay Mishra ploughed into protesters.

A new video has shown an SUV crashing into the protesters from behind.

Farmers say the minister's son, Ashish Mishra, was behind the attack. The Mishras deny the charge.

Two workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the driver were subsequently beaten to death by a mob of protesters. A fourth person, a journalist, also died in the violence.

Farm unions say two protesters died when they were run over and two others who were injured later succumbed in the hospital. They are now demanding the purported video footage be treated as evidence against the minister and the son.

But Ajay Mishra continues to deny the charge - he says that neither he nor his son were in the car when the incident happened. Police have started an investigation against them after farm unions vowed to intensify their protests.

The violence, which took place in Lakhimpur district on Sunday, marks a dramatic escalation in a 10-month-old protest against agriculture reforms that the ruling BJP government passed without any substantive discussion in Parliament last year.

And it sparked national outrage this week, leading the Supreme Court to take notice of the loss of life in the clash.

Ahead of the hearing on Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered an inquiry, saying the matter was of public importance. It has appointed Pradeep Srivastava, a retired high court judge, as a single member commission to investigate the case.

Meanwhile, leaders from main opposition Congress party, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi, visited Lakhimpuri Kheri on Wednesday and met the families of the deceased farmers and the journalist.

Opposition leaders had been trying to visit the district since Sunday but the state police in Uttar Pradesh barred them from entering the state, citing a law and order situation. Several politicians, including Ms Gandhi, were even detained on their way.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been sitting on the outskirts of Delhi since November, demanding that the laws must be repealed.

It is one of the longest farmers-led protests India has ever seen, pitting the community against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP government.

 

[pillionrider]

Silence from Modi. And his supporters who trawl this place.

Busy doing pooja somewhere and campaigning. Announced relief for the victims of a house collapse in my state but has nothing to add about an incident that's 4 days old because it allegedly involves his Minister's son.

The same Minister had threatened the farmers earlier, "Face me, it will take just two minutes to discipline you fellows". Looks like his son took his words literally.

At least, not every one in the BJP is silent....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The video is crystal clear. Protestors cannot be silenced through murder. There has to be accountability for the innocent blood of farmers that has been spilled and justice must be delivered before a message of arrogance and cruelty enters the minds of every farmer. �������� <a href="https://t.co/Z6NLCfuujK">pic.twitter.com/Z6NLCfuujK</a></p>— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) <a href="https://twitter.com/varungandhi80/status/1445953332384698369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Look at the speed of that jeep. Disgusting.

 

[MP2011]

Silence from Modi. And his supporters who trawl this place.

Busy doing pooja somewhere and campaigning. Announced relief for the victims of a house collapse in my state but has nothing to add about an incident that's 4 days old because it allegedly involves his Minister's son.

The same Minister had threatened the farmers earlier, "Face me, it will take just two minutes to discipline you fellows". Looks like his son took his words literally.

At least, not every one in the BJP is silent....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The video is crystal clear. Protestors cannot be silenced through murder. There has to be accountability for the innocent blood of farmers that has been spilled and justice must be delivered before a message of arrogance and cruelty enters the minds of every farmer. �������� <a href="https://t.co/Z6NLCfuujK">pic.twitter.com/Z6NLCfuujK</a></p>— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) <a href="https://twitter.com/varungandhi80/status/1445953332384698369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Look at the speed of that jeep. Disgusting.

Action they took in this sordid saga,

BJP Acts Against Varun Gandhi After His Tweets On Farmers Run Over

New Delhi: The names of Varun Gandhi and his mother Maneka Gandhi were dropped from the fresh list of the 80-member BJP national executive posted today amid a flurry of tweets by the BJP MP, condemning the events of UP's Lakhimpur Kheri. The party brushed off the omission – sources said such rejigs are a "routine exercise".

Varun Gandhi was the only BJP leader to take flag the issue, in which the son of a BJP Union minister has been accused of murder. Ashish Mishra, the son of BJP's junior home minister Ajay Mishra, has not been questioned or arrested.

On Tuesday, Varun Gandhi had tweeted a rather grainy video of a black SUV ploughing through a group of peaceful protesters from behind. Four farmers had died, another four lives were lost in the subsequent violence and arson.

Calling it "murder", Varun Gandhi said the video was enough to "shake the soul".

Yesterday, tweeting what he called a "crystal clear" version of the same video, Mr Gandhi called for "accountability for the innocent blood of farmers".

"Protestors cannot be silenced through murder. There has to be accountability for the innocent blood of farmers that has been spilled and justice must be delivered before a message of arrogance and cruelty enters the minds of every farmer," he posted on Twitter.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/var...illing-in-up-2566940#pfrom=home-ndtv_bigstory

 

[OMB]

if BJP junior home minister has done tis, swift action must be taken against him. This amounts to manslaughter and the guilty must be punished.
No space for such ministers in our government.

 

[Jeetlodil]

How inhumane is this

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

This is real India. Full of jaahils and inhumane people. And we have millions of those who support such creatures in India. Infact some of them worship these creatures. I hope that guy who was driving that jeep and his master rot in hell.

 

[MP2011]

True to his bigotry filled DNA, the bigot is yet to utter a single word on these barbaric murders of hapless farmers while he'll post on every other worthless event.

This creature even wished good luck to Dhawan when he got his thumb operated upon. OTOH he doesn't have time to say anything on these 'inane' things!

We are truly 'blessed' to have such a leader!

 

[MP2011]

And we have millions of those who support such creatures in India. Infact some of them worship these creatures.

I've always maintained that more than the bigot, these devotees are the ones who are responsible for the mess we currently are in. They're the ones who've fueled the bigotry filled agenda of their master.

 

[Bewal Express]

Are the farmers protests still going on?

 

[pillionrider]

Normally vocal about local BJP supporters treating this thread like a Dalit....

 

[JaDed]

The difference between how Police has handled this case vs Drug one.
I swear jiski laathi uska law!

 

[MenInG]

Lakhimpur/Lucknow: Amid widespread outrage over inaction in the Lakhimpur Kheri case, Union minister Ajay Mishra's son, Ashish, appeared before the eight-member SIT for questioning on Saturday.

He reached the crime branch office at around 10.40 am.

Ashish, accused of mowing down farmers during violent clashes in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri that claimed the lives of eight people, was on Friday issued a fresh notice for an appearance by 11 am on Saturday after he skipped police questioning yesterday.

Ajay, Minister of State for Home yesterday said his son could not appear before the police as he was not well but will record his statement on Saturday.

"We have full faith in law. My son is innocent. He got a notice on Thursday but he said he was not well. He will appear before the police tomorrow and give his statement and evidence as he is innocent," the junior Home Minister was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Key updates in the top story:

Lakhimpur Kheri incident is part of a pre-planned conspiracy. They (attackers) tried to terrorise farmers, said Farmer leader Darshan Pal.

Indian Youth Congress workers staged a protest over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence outside the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah.

Son of MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni, Ashish Mishra arrived at Crime Branch office in Lakhimpur.

Awadhesh Kumar, legal advisor of Ashish Mishra said: "We will respect the notice and will cooperate in the investigation. Ashish Mishra will appear before the police today."

Security has been tightened at police lines in Lakhimpur Kheri ahead of Ashish Mishra is set to appear for questioning.

Ashish was named in an FIR following allegations that he was in one of the vehicles that ran over four farmers protesting over UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit.

The farmers have claimed that the Union minister's son was in one of the cars which they alleged knocked down some protesters who were opposing the deputy CM's visit. However, the minister said that he and his son were not present at the spot and that he has photo and video evidence to prove it.

The incident that took place months before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh triggered a massive political storm with the opposition demanding the removal of the minister and arrest of his son.

On October 3, eight people, including four farmers, were killed after a farmers' protest in Lakhimpur Kheri district turned violent. Two SUVs were also set on fire by agitated farmers in the clash near Banbirpur.

The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the UP government, saying it is not satisfied with steps taken by it. It questioned the state government over not arresting accused against whom FIR has been lodged. “What is the message you are sending… Do you treat accused the same way in other murder cases in the country,” the apex court asked the Yogi Adityanath government.

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/...ion-ministers-son-police-interrogation/821971

 

[pillionrider]

Ashish Mishra, the son of junior Union Home Minister Ajay Mishra who was arrested on Saturday, was not able to answer several questions about his whereabouts during last week's violence in Lakhimpur Kheri, sources in the Uttar Pradesh Police have told NDTV.
According to sources, while Ashish Mishra had said that he was at a wrestling event around 4-5 km from the scene of the violence on Sunday, the statements of police personnel posted at the event and the people there reveal that the minister's son was missing between 2 and 4 pm.

Ashish Mishra's mobile tower location at the time also shows his location in and around the crime scene, they said. Mr Mishra, however, has told the police that he was in his rice mill at the time which is closer to the crime scene under the same tower.

His alibi was further strained because of the First Information Report or FIR registered by Mr Mishra's aides against the farmers for allegedly killing three of their men including his driver Hari Om.

Even though the FIR said that Hari Om was driving the Mahindra Thar which ran over the farmers, the video analysed by the police shows that a man wearing a white shirt or kurta is driving the Thar; Hari Om was found wearing a yellow kurta when his body was brought to the hospital.

Based on these three points of contention and Mr Mishra not being forthcoming with the facts, he was arrested, the sources said. The police also said he had been "evasive" in his responses and not cooperating.

His arrest came five days after he was named in a murder case. The charges against him usually merit an immediate arrest and questions have been raised whether he was afforded VIP treatment because of his father. He had also skipped summons a day ago.

Ashish Mishra had been named in an FIR filed by the farmers who said he drove into a gathering of slogan-shouting demonstrators amid a peaceful black-flag protest last Sunday. Eight people, including four farmers and four from the convoy, died in the incident and the violence that it triggered.

Though the Union Minister's son admits the SUV that ran over farmers belongs to him, but he maintains he was not in it.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/was...ws-otherwise-2570158#pfrom=home-ndtv_bigstory

His escape routes are getting close to the number of BJP supporters who have posted in this thread.

 

[Justcrazy]

Modi has been the worst thing to happen in India, next generation will curse him for the damage him and history will remember him as a sadistic killer. This man has absolutely NOT an iota of morality. Worse than a reptile

 

[Afzal_K]

Modi has been the worst thing to happen in India, next generation will curse him for the damage him and history will remember him as a sadistic killer. This man has absolutely NOT an iota of morality. Worse than a reptile

His legacy will go on, watch - he has united the hindus like never b4, even with least majority, his party will win

 

[OMB]

Lakhimpur Kheri: Mishra son arrested, cops say he’s evasive


Facing murder charges over the Lakhimpur incident, Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, was arrested late Saturday night, after questioning that lasted the entire day.

Having skipped the first summons issued to him, Ashish, 40, appeared before the SIT investigating the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, that had left eight dead, at 10.30 am on Saturday — just in time for the second notice. He arrived with his lawyers and BJP MLA from Lakhimpur (Sadar) seat Yogesh Verma (the latter left soon after), at the Crime Branch office in the district, amid heavy police deployment.

Around 11 pm at night, DIG Upendra Kumar Agrawal, heading the SIT, told reporters: “We found that he was not cooperating. He was not telling certain things. On ground of non-cooperation and evasive replies, we are taking Ashish into custody. He will be produced in court tomorrow. We will do sustained custodial interrogation.”

An official said that Ashish Mishra was sent to judicial custody on Saturday night. Around 1 am, he was shifted to the Lakhimpur Kheri jail.

His lawyer informed that the police had sought three days custody, but that will be decided by a local court on Monday.

“He will be in jail till Monday morning. On Monday, a hearing will happen in a local court where it will be decided if he is to be sent to police custody or not,” said his lawyer.


The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is spearheading the farmers’ agitation, Saturday demanded MoS Mishra’s arrest as well on charges of spreading disharmony, and murder and conspiracy, and his resignation from the Union Council of Ministers, warning protests across the country if the demands were not met.

At the press conference held in Delhi by the Morcha, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said the farmers who are alleged to have beaten four people to death — after four farmers had been crushed by a convoy, including at least one car owned by MoS Mishra — could not be equated with Ashish

“Theirs was a reaction to an action. We do not consider them accused. And we cannot call it murder. When someone causes an accident, even well-meaning people block traffic and argue in the middle of the road,” Tikait said.

The BKU leader also pointed out that the family of a journalist who was among the dead had said they were being pressured to say the farmers killed him, and that his body had tyre marks. “The truth is… they (the accused) wanted to kill people with three cars,” Tikait said.

The SKM gave a call for farmers to reach Lakhimpur on October 12 for an ‘ardas’ (prayer) being held for the deceased farmers, and said the day would be marked as Shaheed Kisan Diwas across the country.

New Delhi: Indian Youth Congress members protest demanding the immediate arrest of Ashish Mishra, son of the Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri accident, near Home Minister Amit Shah residence in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)
Seeking Mishra’s resignation as MoS and his arrest, the SKM said: “If the demand is not met, a Shaheed Kisan Yatra will be taken out from Lakhimpur Kheri with the asthi (ashes) of the martyr farmers, across UP and each state. The yatra will conclude at a holy or historical place in every district. On October 15, the effigies of the anti-farmer BJP will be burnt. A rail roko movement will be organised across the country on October 18, and eight days later, there will be a mahapanchayat in Lucknow.” The mahapanchayat would be “apolitical”, it said.

Two separate FIRs have been registered at the Tikunia Police Station over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident — one against Ashish and 15-20 others on charges including murder and rioting, and another against unidentified persons for rioting, causing death by negligence, and murder.

ADG (Lucknow zone) Satya Narain Sabat told The Indian Express on Friday that they had come to know names of 10 accused. “Two have been arrested. Five have been identified and we are checking their role. Three others are dead.”

Mishra has denied that his son was driving one of the vehicles that ploughed into the protesting farmers, leaving four of them dead. “The way rioters posing as farmers have beaten people… If Ashish was there, he would have been killed.”

On Saturday, BJP workers gathered at Mishra’s office in Lakhimpur Kheri district in protest against the action against Ashish. Addressing them, the minister said, “There is a rule of law in the country. Our government believes in an unbiased probe. I want to say to all workers that you must keep your faith in the law. The investigating agencies will do the right probe. Those who are guilty will face action, and those innocent won’t.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/lakhimpur-kheri-violence-union-mos-ashish-mishra-accused-of-running-over-farmers-arrested-7562818/

 

[PakLFC]

Great! The ISI could not have done a better job in India then Modi is doing! I am delighted that Modi is PM of India. This is great for Pakistan having such an idiot in charge of India who is inviting a civil war. IOK, Aryan Khan, farmers protest, Assam and now UP! Where next?

 

[MP2011]

Silence of devotees and their god (who is yet to utter a single word on this) is deafening. This silence is so conveninet for the bigot though.

Whenever anything severe that hits us which has his or his cohorts' direct culpability, this creature keeps mum, whether its mayhem during Covid 2nd wave, Akhlaq murder, demonetisation, you name the calamity and you'll find him mum every single time while commenting on everything else under the sun.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Absolute madness.

 

[pillionrider]

Silence of devotees and their god (who is yet to utter a single word on this) is deafening. This silence is so conveninet for the bigot though.

It's an old tactic by those two and their supporters. Keep ignoring, till it goes away. Luckily this time, thanks to persistent opposition, the guy was finally arrested.

Initially, until the video of the mowing down emerged, Godi media was busy claiming farmers attacked innocent BJP workers.

But it's ok. What goes around, comes around. The wheel always turns.

I'm not sure how some of the blind supporters will live with themselves after a few years.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

It's an old tactic by those two and their supporters. Keep ignoring, till it goes away. Luckily this time, thanks to persistent opposition, the guy was finally arrested.

Initially, until the video of the mowing down emerged, Godi media was busy claiming farmers attacked innocent BJP workers.

But it's ok. What goes around, comes around. The wheel always turns.

I'm not sure how some of the blind supporters will live with themselves after a few years.

Do you think this opposition stands a chance in 2024?

And your take on UP polls?

 

[Varun]

BIMARU gonna BIMARU

 

[MP2011]

I'm not sure how some of the blind supporters will live with themselves after a few years.

Well, they've vociferously supported their master despite so many lynchings during last 7 years under feku's raj, this is still nothing for them.

 

[pillionrider]

Do you think this opposition stands a chance in 2024?

And your take on UP polls?

Haven't been following. This incident was too ridiculous to not notice.

So not sure what's the opposition in UP. The way Bisht handled COVID and now this, in a normal world, would see him lose. But this isn't a normal world and don't know what the other parties are planning. Seems like the Congress has some grand ambitions of doing a solo run which would make it easier for Bisht to retain enough votes. Anyway, there are a few months left before elections - be sure, they'll come up with some stunt to win votes.

 

[MenInG]

Lakhimpur Kheri, UP: Ashish Mishra, Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son and the main accused in the killing of protesting farmers in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri last year, has been released from jail.

Ashish Mishra's lawyer, Avdesh Kumar Singh, said the court had demanded two sureties of ₹ 3 lakh each but imposed no restrictions on him leaving the city.

He was granted bail last week by the Allahabad High Court, after lower courts rejected requests.

In a controversial order, the court had questioned some of the charges listed by the police, including firing at protesters."...during the course of investigation, no such firearm injuries were found either on the body of any of the deceased or on the body of any injured person," the court said.

The court also questioned police claims Ashish incited the driver of the SUV to run over the farmers.

Ashish Mishra, the court further said, appeared before the investigating officers when summoned (he'd originally skipped summons) and a charge sheet had been filed.

"In such circumstances, this court is of the view the applicant is entitled to bail," the court said.

His father, Union Minister Ajay Mishra, only smiled when NDTV asked him about bail for son. The minister began campaigning for the BJP a day after his son was given bail.

Bail for Ashish Mishra triggered furious reactions from farmers and opposition leaders.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait told NDTV today the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmer unions who fought against the farm laws, will file an appeal in the Supreme Court "soon".

Farmers have claimed police were pressured to weaken the case and this led to Ashish Mishra's bail.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary have both also hit out, as as Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, among others.

Ashish Mishra's release comes as BJP-ruled UP votes in a seven-phase Assembly election. Two phases are over. The third is on Sunday. Lakhimpur votes in the fourth phase - on February 23.

On October 3, Ashish Mishra was allegedly driving a Mahindra Thar that ran over four farmers and a journalist at Lakhimpur Kheri during a protest march against three (since scrapped) farm laws.

He was arrested only days later - after the Supreme Court intervened; the court ordered an inquiry after the police and administration were accused of going slow on the investigation.

Videos showing the car ramming into farmers were widely circulated, triggering anger and fierce criticism of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his government, and PM Modi. Last week the PM, in his first public comment on the incident, said the UP government "is working transparently" in the case.

Eight people were killed that day, including two BJP workers who died in the violence that followed.

As farmers' anger became a big worry for the BJP (particularly with elections looming) PM Modi announced the withdrawal of the farm laws in November, ending an 11-month protest.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/min...d-from-jail-2769794#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Congratulations to real farmers of Uttar Pradesh for exposing the fake farmers led by Rakesh Tikait.

Lakhimpur Kheri Propaganda busted today.How much fake narrative was created around this..

But people knew the truth and stood by the truth.

BJP leading in all seats of Lakhimpur Kheri, Meerut and Agra, Jhansi.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

BJP wins all 8 seats in Lakhimpur Kheri.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Pseudo Secularism got owned LOL

 

[PakLFC]

BJP wins all 8 seats in Lakhimpur Kheri.

That means more trouble and intolerance in India. Really strange that so many Indian's are happy about this.

 

[Itachi]

That means more trouble and intolerance in India. Really strange that so many Indian's are happy about this.

Ultimately it is a win for democracy whether you agree or not. The majority of the people believes that BJP can bring more to the table and hence they voted for them.

If you disrespect democracy, it's shame though.

 

[PakLFC]

Ultimately it is a win for democracy whether you agree or not. The majority of the people believes that BJP can bring more to the table and hence they voted for them.

If you disrespect democracy, it's shame though.

Not everyone worships democracy or considers it to be some divine system of justice. I am happy to see Hindu fanatics in charge of India as it vindicates the quaid Jinnah. The only people who will suffer here are the Indian people. What Yogi's win shows is most Hindu's of your country hate their Muslim's.

 

[Itachi]

Not everyone worships democracy or considers it to be some divine system of justice. I am happy to see Hindu fanatics in charge of India as it vindicates the quaid Jinnah. The only people who will suffer here are the Indian people. What Yogi's win shows is most Hindu's of your country hate their Muslim's.

So you have dislike towards democracy.... Then what should be the political system where people have equal voice of opinion?

 

[PakLFC]

So you have dislike towards democracy.... Then what should be the political system where people have equal voice of opinion?

Islamic system even presidential system. Millions of people don't even vote in democratic countries. In democracies if people vote for a madman like Yogi then he becomes PM! China is doing fine without being a democratic country. Even America is more of a federal Republic.

 

[Itachi]

Islamic system even presidential system. Millions of people don't even vote in democratic countries. In democracies if people vote for a madman like Yogi then he becomes PM! China is doing fine without being a democratic country. Even America is more of a federal Republic.

Since you support islamic system it means you don't put much emphasis in secularism. Am i right in my assumption?

 

[PakLFC]

Since you support islamic system it means you don't put much emphasis in secularism. Am i right in my assumption?

There is plenty of coexistence in an Islamic system. We are all seeing secularism in democratic India!!

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: The victims of the violence in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri last year, when a minister's son allegedly ran over a group of protesting farmers with his vehicle, have been denied their right to be heard, the Supreme Court said on Monday, cancelling his bail.

Here are the top quotes from judges who cancelled Ashish Mishra's bail in the Lakhimpur Kheri case:

Victims have the right to be heard in every proceeding. We hold that the victims have been denied the chance of an effective hearing in the present case.

The High Court has taken into account several irrelevant considerations and overlooked precedents.

The denial of victims to be heard and the tearing hurry shown by the High Court merits the setting aside of the bail order.

FIR cannot be treated as an encyclopaedia of events. Judicial precedents were ignored.

(When asked to direct a different High Court judge to hear the case) It would not be proper to pass such an order. We are sure that the same judge would not want to hear the matter again.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sup...-to-be-heard-2896693#pfrom=home-ndtv_bigstory

 

[ex-q-zit]

Junior Home Minister's Son, Accused Of Killing 4 UP Farmers, To Face Trial

Ashish Mishra, son of junior Home Minister Ajay Mishra, will face trial for allegedly running an SUV over farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri last year, after a court today rejected his appeal, and that of other accused, to be dropped from case. The court will frame charges against all accused tomorrow.

A charge sheet has been filed against all accused.

On October 3 last year, Ashish Mishra was allegedly in a Mahindra Thar SUV that ran over four farmers and a journalist at Lakhimpur Kheri during a protest march against three (since scrapped) farm laws. Following the incident, the driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers.

Days before the Lakhimpur incident, Ajay Mishra (the father) had, in a speech in the area, allegedly threatened to "fix farmers in two minutes" if they didn't drop their agitation.

The Junior Mishra was arrested only days later - after the Supreme Court intervened.

On April 18 this year, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to Ashish Mishra in the case and asked him to surrender in a week, saying the 'victims' were denied "a fair and effective hearing" in the Allahabad High Court which adopted a "myopic view of the evidence".

Videos showing the car ramming farmers were widely circulated, triggering anger and fierce criticism of state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his government.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had appointed a committee headed by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Rakesh Kumar Jain to monitor the probe into the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

NDTV

 

[ex-q-zit]

Police On Attack On Brother Of Witness In UP's Lakhimpur Violence Case

The brother of the witness in the last year's Lakhimpur violence was allegedly attacked by a youth, police said on Sunday.

The incident that happened on Friday night had no connection with the 2021 violence, they said.

Injured Sarvajeet Singh is reported to be the brother of Prabhjeet Singh, who is a witness in the Lakhimpur violence of October 3, 2021, in which eight persons, including four farmers, a journalist, two BJP workers and a driver were killed.

In his complaint, Singh alleged that he was attacked when he had gone to attend a party in Tikunia town organised by a friend. Accused Vikas Chawla along with his associate abused and attacked him with sharp weapons, thereby, injuring him.

Police said an FIR under section 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC has been registered on the complaint of the aggrieved person and legal proceedings are underway.

Lakhimpur Kheri's Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjiv Suman said in a statement, the brother of Tikunia case witness Prabhjeet was attacked by the accused, following a dispute while attending a 'mundan' party organised by their friend.

The incident had no connection with the one-year-old Tikunia violence case, the SP added.

NDTV

 

[ex-q-zit]

Lakhimpur Case: Court Seeks Time For Conclusion Of Ashish Mishra's Trial

The Supreme Court Monday asked the sessions court judge to specify the tentative time schedule for completion of the trial involving Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra's son Ashish and 12 others for alleged murder and related offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri.

The top court also asked the Uttar Pradesh government, which opposed the bail plea of Ashish Mishra terming the offence as "grave", to file an affidavit with regard to the status of the second case filed over the killing of three occupants of the SUV, which allegedly mowed down the farmers.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Krishna Murari, said it needs to balance the interest of all the parties including the accused, the victims and society at large.

"We have to see that the accused, who is inside the jail for over one year, also has rights. Now the charge sheet has been filed and charges have been framed. The victims and witnesses also have their rights. Even society also has interest in the case. Now, we have to balance all the rights in the case," it said.

The bench also asked the Additional District and Sessions judge hearing the second case related to the killing of the occupants of the car, to consider the desirability of framing charges.

It posted the matter for further hearing on January 11.

On December 6, the trial court had framed charges Ashish and 12 others for murder, criminal conspiracy and related offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October 2021 in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial.

A total of 13 accused, including Ashish Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra, is the main accused in the case.

The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar alias Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara. All of them are in jail.

On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri district during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against the then Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area.

Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR.

Following the incident, the driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence.

NDTV